The erythroblastic island(EBI)is a multicellular structure defined by the presence of 1 or 2 central macrophages surrounded by at least 3 erythroblasts.EBIs were initially proposed as a specialized microenvironment ex...The erythroblastic island(EBI)is a multicellular structure defined by the presence of 1 or 2 central macrophages surrounded by at least 3 erythroblasts.EBIs were initially proposed as a specialized microenvironment exclusively for erythroid terminal differentiation.Recent advancements in techniques such as lineage tracing mouse models,imaging flow cytometry,and single-cell RNA sequencing,accumulating evidence has provided novel insights that challenge this conventional view.Notably,the erythropoietin receptor has been identified as a novel marker for EBI macrophages.Additionally,neutrophils have been identified as novel cellular components of EBIs,raising the intriguing hypothesis that EBIs may support other hematopoietic lineage cells as well.Beyond the diverse cellular components of various hematopoietic lineages,even within the erythroid lineage,an immune-prone erythroblast subpopulation has been reported,although it remains unclear whether and how these immune-prone erythroblasts mature in EBIs.These observations indicate that EBIs are a heterogeneous population.In this review,we summarize the most recent findings on EBIs,discuss their potential immune functions,and provide a perspective for future investigations.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFA1103503 to L.S.,2024YFC2510500 to J.G.)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82225003 to L.S.,82100152 to J.T.,U24A20749 to J.T.,82300141 to J.G.,82400148 to J.M.)+2 种基金the CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences(2023-I2M-2-007 to L.S.,2021-I2M-1-040 to L.S.,2021-I2M-1-073 to J.T.,2024-I2M-TS-036 to L.S.)Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem Innovation Fund(HH24KYZX0005 to L.S.)Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Commission Grant(24ZXRKSY00010 to L.S.,24ZXZSSS00080 to J.T.,23ZXRKSY00010 to L.S.).
文摘The erythroblastic island(EBI)is a multicellular structure defined by the presence of 1 or 2 central macrophages surrounded by at least 3 erythroblasts.EBIs were initially proposed as a specialized microenvironment exclusively for erythroid terminal differentiation.Recent advancements in techniques such as lineage tracing mouse models,imaging flow cytometry,and single-cell RNA sequencing,accumulating evidence has provided novel insights that challenge this conventional view.Notably,the erythropoietin receptor has been identified as a novel marker for EBI macrophages.Additionally,neutrophils have been identified as novel cellular components of EBIs,raising the intriguing hypothesis that EBIs may support other hematopoietic lineage cells as well.Beyond the diverse cellular components of various hematopoietic lineages,even within the erythroid lineage,an immune-prone erythroblast subpopulation has been reported,although it remains unclear whether and how these immune-prone erythroblasts mature in EBIs.These observations indicate that EBIs are a heterogeneous population.In this review,we summarize the most recent findings on EBIs,discuss their potential immune functions,and provide a perspective for future investigations.
